Retired Army Staff Sergeant Alexzandria “Alex” Hunt says she was blindsided after being terminated from her position as a supply technician at the Hampton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.
The decision, which came on February 25, was reportedly based on her work performance, but Hunt believes it was part of a broader effort to downsize the federal workforce.
“I broke down right then and there,” Hunt told ABC 13 News Now. “I was blindsided.”
Hunt, a military veteran, had been working at the VA center, ensuring that necessary supplies were available for medical staff and patients.
She recalled how she stayed late during a winter storm last month to fulfill her duties, only to be dismissed weeks later without prior warning.
“It broke my heart. It made me feel like I didn’t matter, like I was just a number,” she said. “And as a military veteran, this is how you treat your workers?”
According to data from the Office of Personnel Management, veterans make up approximately 30 percent of the total federal workforce, with more than half of them—53 percent—being disabled. Many, like Hunt, find roles in VA hospitals, serving fellow veterans who rely on these facilities for medical care and support.
“These vets are in this facility 24/7,” Hunt added. “We brighten up their days, and then to have that just taken away—how do you think the vets feel as well?”
While the VA has not publicly commented on Hunt’s termination, reports suggest that broader federal workforce reductions—initiated under the Trump administration—have affected employees across various government agencies, including the VA.
The downsizing efforts have sparked concerns over the impact on veterans who depend on VA services and the stability of the veteran-employed workforce within these institutions.
Hunt’s case underscores the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service to civilian jobs, particularly in federal agencies where they often seek employment.
The abrupt nature of her termination has raised questions about job security for veteran employees and the implications for VA hospital operations.
